By Andrew Christiansen | The Times-Independent | Photo Courtesy of Mick Vallantine

The Bureau of Land Management has authorized class 1 e-bikes on more than 200 miles of Moab-area mountain bike trails, finalizing a long-debated decision that takes effect March 1.

The Moab Field Office said it will open 211.2 miles of designated singletrack across 16 trail systems to pedal-assist e-bikes while leaving a handful of routes closed. Until now, e-bike access on local singletrack was limited to about 1.4 miles, with e-bikes otherwise confined to motorized routes such as Slickrock. class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assist only — no throttle — and assistance cuts off at 20 mph.

“Opening trails to class 1 e-bike users will expand recreational opportunities and experiences, while allowing users to disperse across the landscape, minimizing impacts,” BLM Moab Field Office Manager Dave Pals said in a statement.

Local shop owners said the move could open Moab’s trails to new riders while boosting business.

“I am very happy with the decision,” said Mick Vallantine, owner of E-bike Moab, which opened in 2020. “Everybody knew it was inevitable – it’s just that Moab was one of the last places to take it on.”

Read more at MoabTimes.com.

This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.